NEW ROAD PITCHED TO EASE BORDER BOTTLENECK

Red Route 'too divisive' but alternative on cards

- By OWEN HUGHES Business Correspondent [e-mail]

CONGESTION on the A494 route into and out of Wales remains a “real problem”, and a new road could be built to solve the issue.

Transport Secretary Ken Skates spoke to the Daily Post about ways to try to ease the border bottleneck in Flintshire.

The A494/A55/Flintshire Corridor ‘red route’ was previously identified as the preferred option for relieving cross-border congestion.

The red route was a proposed eight-mile dual carriageway linking the A55 at Northop with the A494 and A550 north of Deeside Parkway Junction via the Flintshire Bridge.

But this was scrapped by the previous Welsh Government transport chief Lee Waters as part of the roads review.

While that move came under fire from many, it was welcomed by those who were opposed to the project due to environmental concerns.

It was put back on the agenda in the draft Regional Transport Plan for North Wales, which is being consulted on.